Page 34 - SD Woman Glace Ziperovich Issue

UNDER THE C OL ORS

“The random off-the-clock exercise to increase U.S. and
office visits are always fun be- allied interoperability and war-
cause he comes to mess with fighting capability before a fu-
me,” said Devon. “We also joking- ture deployment.
ly bicker with each other.” The George H.W. Bush CSG
Professionalism leaves plen- is an integrated combat weap-
ty of room for pride, and Jerry ons system that delivers supe-
has no shortage of pride for his rior combat capability to deter,
son. and if necessary, defeat Amer-
“There have been several ica’s adversaries in support of
occasions where he has been national security. It achieves its
the go-to if something bad mission by projecting the com-
happens,” said Jerry. “There bined power of the Nimitz-class
have been several times he has aircraft carrier George H.W.
done something and I just think Bush, CVW-7, Destroyer Squad-
about how he is keeping our ron 26, the Ticonderoga-class
Like Father, Like Son that. Normally family isn’t sup- name proud.” guided-missile cruiser USS
Leyte Gulf (CG 55), and its Infor-
As a former Machinist’s Mate
posed to be in the same depart-
Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class ment, but because of certain (Nuclear) himself, Jerry was ex- mation Warfare Commander.
Novalee Manzella USS George circumstances I am now in the ceptionally proud when Devon
H.W. Bush (CVN 77) same department as Devon.” enlisted four years ago.
There are seven divisions in “A lot of my friends asked
ATLANTIC OCEAN— As a the reactor department; con- how I could let him be a Nuke,”
young man, Lt. Jerry Dome trols, electrical, mechanical, lab- said Jerry. “A. He is an adult, I
joined the Navy as a Machinist’s oratories, axillaries, propulsion, don’t let him do anything, and B.
Mate (Nuclear), to take care of and training. Becoming a Nuke is better than
his wife, pregnant with their first “My dad isn’t in my direct any college. Even if you get out
child. Twenty-four years later, he chain of command, but he does after your first tour, you can still
is the acting reactor mechanical make decisions that can directly step in to some really nice pay-
officer aboard the Nimitz-class impact my division,” said Devon. ing jobs where being a former
aircraft carrier USS George H.W. “Because of our relationship he Nuke would give a distinct ad-
Bush (CVN 77). can’t put me up for an award or vantage over people that went
“I was initially looking to use his rank to protect me from to college.”
join the Army,” said Jerry. “They any trouble I could get in to. I Devon decided to join the
weren’t in and the Nuke recruiter wouldn’t want him to.” Navy in the Nuclear field even
was. My wife, who was my girl- As close as they are outside though he was accepted in to a
friend at the time, was pregnant of work, both Domes made it college. Photo by Mass Communication
so the money thing was a boon.” perfectly clear that the moment “My wife, who was my girl- Specialist
That son grew up to be Ma- work is involved they hold a friend at the time, was pregnant San Diego native
chinist’s Mate (Nuclear) 2nd strictly professional relationship. with our firstborn,” said Devon.
Class Devon Dome, who now “Normally I don’t inter- “My Dad who was in the Navy serves the U.S. Navy
works in George H.W. Bush’s re- act with him because his job his whole life was able to pro-
actor propulsion division. is standing watch and doing vide a good life for me and I at DoD’s premier
“It was weird, it was really maintenance,” said Jerry. “My job wanted to do the same for my communication
weird,” said Devon. “I was scared is the overarching monitoring of kids.”
I would be sent to a different reactor maintenance to make George H.W. Bush provides institution
ship. I had been here for a year sure the availabilities go well.” the national command author-
and a half and already made my On the rare occasion they in- ity flexible, tailorable warfight- By Alvin Plexico, Navy Office
roots, but even after that was all teract they call each other by the ing capability as the flagship of of Community Outreach
cleared up it is still a weird feel- appropriate military titles. a carrier strike group that main- 1st Class Amber Weingart,
Navy Office of Community
ing having him here.” “Once I slipped up and called tains maritime stability and se- Outreach
Weird didn’t begin to cover him Dad,” said Devon. “He cor- curity to ensure access, deter
the feelings shared by this father rected me immediately. It was aggression and defend U.S., al- FORT MEADE, Maryland -
and son duo. awkward.” lied and partner interests. Seaman Rashan Jefferson, a
“At first it was a little weird,” Even in the military there are The George H.W. Bush Car- native of San Diego, California,
said Jerry. “I was under the im- acceptable forms of more re- rier Strike Group (CSG) is under- is serving at Defense Informa-
pression that we couldn’t do laxed interactions. way completing a certification tion School (DINFOS), the pre-

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